14 DAY TRIAL // Mass Effect 3 is set to be launched this fall but it seems that the team that handles the successful franchise at developer BioWare is already thinking about life without Commander Shepard, with a MMO one of the possible next steps for the game universe.
Speaking with Game Informer, which published a big feature piece about the future of Mass Effect, Casey Hudson, who is the executive producer in charge of the series, has said, “We’ve been trying to think of a way that makes sense for people to experience Mass Effect with their friends. We haven’t yet come up with a way to do that, so we don’t have anything to announce at this time. But, obviously, multiplayer is something we want to do more of in the future as a company.”
When asked directly about creating a full blown MMO linked to Mass Effect, he answered, “A lot of people say that they want to see an MMO, I think that kind of makes sense for this universe. Part of what you’re trying to do is save the universe so you can live in it. That’s part of the promise, I think, for any great IP. It has to be a world worth saving.”
Hudson's statements should not be seen as confirmation that a Mass Effect MMO is actually being worked on, given the number of projects BioWare is working on.
This year the company just launched Dragon Age 2, the second game in its fantasy based franchise, and the team that delivered it is now probably focusing on delivering downloadable content and possibly an expansion.
BioWare is also taking its first steps in the MMO field, working to launch Star Wars: The Old Republic, which should also be out at some point after July 1 of this year.
If this MMO is well received the Mass Effect one could also go closer to becoming a reality.